Melea, Menan, Mattatha, Nathan and David - Luke 3:31

 

Luke the physician shared about Jesus' lineage who came through Matthat, Levi, Melchi, Janna, Joseph, Mattathias, Amos, Naum, Esli, Nagge, Maath, Mattathias, Semei, Joseph, Juda, Joanna, Rhesa, Zorobabel, Salathiel, Neri, Melchi, Addi, Cosam, Elmodam, Er, Jose, Eliezer, Jorim, Matthat, Levi, Simeon, Juda, Joseph, Jonan and Eliakim, and in chapter three and verse thirty-one of his book Luke added more names to the lineage of Jesus where we read:

Which was the son of Melea, which was the son of Menan, which was the son of Mattatha,

which was the son of Nathan, which was the son of David,

The verse reads, “Which was the son of Melea, which was the son of Menan, which was the son of Mattatha, ...” Luke began with the words, “which was the son of” or “who was the offspring and progeny belonging to” “Melea” which means “my dear friend: object of care”, “which was the son of” or “who was the offspring and progeny belonging to” “Menan” which means “soothsayer: enchanted” “which was the son of” or “who was the offspring and progeny belonging to” “Mattatha” which means “givingness”. Luke continued to share the names of the ancestors of Jesus - “my dear friend: object of care, soothsayer: enchanted and givingnes

The verse continues, “... which was the son of Nathan, which was the son of David, ...” Luke added the words, “which was the son of” which means “who was the offspring and progeny belonging to” “Nathan” or “a giver”, “which was the son of” which means “who was the offspring and progeny belonging to” “David” or “beloved”. Luke added two more names to Jesus' lineage - “a giver and beloved”.

When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we continue to see the message of God to save mankind through His Son Jesus in these name. “My dear friend: object of care, soothsayer: enchanted, givingness, a giver and beloved” were added to Luke's list, and we discover characteristics of God who desires that we be His “friend” because we become His “object of care”. He is “enchanted” or “captivated” by us and because He is filled with “giving”, He desires to “give” to His “beloved”. There is one name of note among this list that differs from the Matthew account of Jesus' lineage. This list, which is the priestly list of Jesus' ancestors, changes at the son of David whose name was Nathan. Matthew's list, the kingly list of Jesus' ancestors, included “Solomon” who was David's son. This difference was necessary not only because Jesus was to be “priest and king”, but also because God told Zedekiah there would not be another king in Israel because Zedekiah rebelled against the Lord. The position of king thereafter was reserved for the “King of Kings”, Jesus whom God promised, came to “give” salvation to His “beloved” mankind, and He shall rule forever and ever age without end.

Next time Luke adds more names to the lineage of Jesus, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".